Milton Keynes Dons 1 - 0 AFC Wimbledon: Dean Bowditch penalty wins battle of the Dons

Posted Saturday, December 10, 2016 by PA

Dean Bowditch's second-half penalty saw MK Dons beat arch-rivals AFC Wimbledon 1-0 and hand boss Robbie Neilson victory in his first league match in charge.

The hosts had nothing to show for their first-half superiority but after Dean Lewington was fouled in the box, Bowditch made no mistake from the spot in the 63rd minute to hand MK Dons a first home league win since March 5.

MK Dons started brightly with Ed Upson and Kieran Agard getting shots on target, before a Ben Reeves effort was deflected wide inside the opening quarter of an hour.

The home side continued to threaten but as the half came to a close, AFC Wimbledon grew in confidence with Jake Reeves firing over the crossbar and testing David Martin.

Shortly after half-time MK Dons should have gone ahead but Bowditch nodded Baldock's cross wide from close range before an Agard header was deflected wide.

But just after the hour mark captain Lewington ran into the box and was bundled to the floor by Chris Robertson, with Bowditch holding his nerve from the spot for his eighth goal of the season.

The home side comfortably saw the game out, Agard firing straight at James Shea with seven minutes left as AFC Wimbledon suffered a first league loss since October 29.